When you spend hundreds of dollars or pounds on a new phone, it would be careless not to spend a few more on a protective case to ensure it does not get broken or scratched. But how do you choose the best one? Here's a guide.

Your phone serves you faithfully until you leave it in the hands of curious children, drop it in the toilet, or let it slip from your hands. Smartphones are becoming tougher with time — there are even a few waterproof Android phones in the market.

However, most phones do not survive accidents unscathed. Here are some tips on how to choose the best case for protecting your phone:

Do your homework

Before buying any case, read its reviews online. If you cannot find the review for a specific case, other reviews for that particular manufacturer will shed some light on quality. You can also find forums where people talk about phone cases and their qualities.

Make sure that you confirm the case's precise cutouts. Some cases might be missing a port, which might not be evident at first glance. If wireless charging is important to you, look for cases that support docking. Do not rush into anything when buying cases, do some research first.

Choose your features

Which features do you want? When looking for tablet cases, the landscape stand function is an important feature. Write down the most important features that you want and take the list with you when shopping.

How much protection do you want?

This depends on how clumsy you are If you keep dropping your phone, you should buy a tough case. Some cases are built to endure tough drops and survive falling into water. For instance, Otterbox phone cases come in different styles and endurances: waterproof, crushproof, and shockproof. Otterbox cases are quite sturdy and can protect smartphones and iPhones adequately.

Rugged cases

If you are looking for maximum safety, you should buy rugged cases. However, you should keep in mind that they are going to be heavy and bulky. With reinforced corners and air pockets, a rugged case can protect your phone effectively.

Although rugged cases are easy to grip because of their tough exterior, they are not that easy to slide in and out of pockets. The cases should cover your phone from every angle, including the screen.

Tough cases

If you want a case that will survive the worst treatment without being extra bulky, a tough case should be your choice. With a standard combination that of tough polycarbonate and an inner layer of soft material that absorbs shock, this case protects your phone well.

If you want extra protection, look for cases with military drop certifications. Although they add quite a bit of weight to your device, tough cases should not stop you from accessing all the features that your phone has to offer.

You should look at different cases before settling on any particular one It is always a good idea to get a hands-on feel. Moreover, you can buy two cases and use them interchangeably: one for everyday office use and another for going hiking.

Author:Barry Walshe is the owner of Screenshelf, an e-commerce site that sells mobile parts and accessories. At Screenshelf, along with top-quality mobile parts and accessories, they provide an outstanding customer support. It has been Barry's passion to make sure that customers get the best accessories and parts for their Smartphones and iPhones.